tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79157410869129236062018-01-10T10:49:04.214-06:00Living at the end of a dead end dirt roadHappenings, daily thoughts, works in progress, in general my life while living at the end of a dead end dirt road.sewokhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01810434863799856107noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915741086912923606.post-15307937974014004082017-12-06T22:14:00.003-06:002018-01-10T10:49:04.267-06:00More CookiesCookies again. I bake in small batches so there aren't dozens of cookies sitting around for me to nibble on. The dough goes in the fridge and stores really well. The frosting also stores in the fridge. I just need to let it warm a bit before I try to use it. When these are eaten I'll bake a few more.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XCy8Cd__UMg/Wiijv1rnW7I/AAAAAAAABYE/3zFugS60gSImph_RTbfBWGe4dVGdJ4vgQCEwYBhgL/s1600/20171206_192019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XCy8Cd__UMg/Wiijv1rnW7I/AAAAAAAABYE/3zFugS60gSImph_RTbfBWGe4dVGdJ4vgQCEwYBhgL/s320/20171206_192019.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FpGkRb2Xo_k/WiijtB6muJI/AAAAAAAABYI/H5f2V3hJn6IloXd0pX5A8VYF58beOsE-gCEwYBhgL/s1600/20171201_143540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FpGkRb2Xo_k/WiijtB6muJI/AAAAAAAABYI/H5f2V3hJn6IloXd0pX5A8VYF58beOsE-gCEwYBhgL/s320/20171201_143540.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Today I baked the remainder of the dough from the fridge so that means I'll have to make more dough soon. Tomorrow though I'll make more icing and ice a few more. I have a little boy that lives down the road from me and he loves cookies. I've started a shirt for him that says "Official Cookie Taste Tester. So when I get the shirt finished and more cookies decorated I'll be taking him a box.<br /><br />On the sewing front: Doll clothes in the works for a Christmas present. These will be for a niece. Pictures to come when I get something finished.<br /><br />Got our tree up today. I started Sunday trying to get that accomplished. Got furniture rearranged so there was room for it. Decided we really need to get rid of some stuff, read as furniture. Then Monday we drug the boxes up from the basement. Unboxed the tree and put it together. It is a pre-lit one that comes in three parts. Stack the parts plug the lights in and there ya go - instant tree. Only this year it didn't quite work out that easy. The middle section didn't completely light up. So hubby made a trip to town to get a string of lights to replace the one string that wasn't working. Now if you have never de-frocked a tree of it's lights ha! I decided that the tree had two people working on it to string those lights. There must have been some minimal requirements for those workers, one had to be left handed while the other had to be right handed. The lights are wrapped around the branches some going clockwise while others went counter clockwise. And to top it all off everyone knows what a string of lights looks like. Right. One long "string" with a plug at one end and a receptacle at the other. Well not these. Each string consisted of two loops with the plug and the receptacle being at the same end. Talk about a nightmare. Hubby couldn't find a string of lights in town to match what were on the tree so then we sat and stared at an unlit, prelit tree. So what to do. At that point I would have gladly donated or trashed the tree and done without. Hubby, on the other hand, decides to start looking for a new tree. Well there are a few requirement. He still want pre-lit, I want skinny so it doesn't take up much space. We both want green and fairly realistic looking. Our house is a bit odd in that it doesn't have normal height ceilings. They are only about 7 feet 4 inches. So the height has to be limited to 7 feet or under. And it has to fit in our budget. Ha, what budget? Nothing on line. The 5th day of December and the stores are sold out?!?!?!?! So yesterday we headed to town early. Spent the entire day doing a few odd things and looking at trees. Too tall, too fat, no lights, wrong color, too many $$$ signs. So we decided to buy more lights and take off the all the lights and string our own. Well there weren't enough of one type of light like we like. What is the world coming to? We had 4 boxes of clear lights at home but wanted colors. Nope, nada, not happening. At this point I am getting beyond frustrated. Just do without a tree this year and start again next year. Well we ended up deciding to go with the clear lights. So this morning I took the rest of the lights off the tree, opened up box number one of clear lights. Plugged them and and YES! they all lit up so I strung them around the bottom of the tree. Then the second box. and then the third box. Whoops, only half the string lit up.&nbsp; So I opened the last box, only half of it lit up. So I spent what seemed like forever testing the bulbs to see which one of those little suckers was keeping my lights from sparkling. Could not figure it out so..... Hubby says he'll go to town to get another string and I tell him No he won't I'll figure something out. I ended up folding up all the unlit bulbs into a "wad" and tucking the into the tree way deep and in the back where they will never be seen. Strung the rest of them on the last third of the tree. Yes! It is lit.&nbsp; It is now decorated with all the decorations the beads are draped and the skirt is placed underneath it not so neatly. Tomorrow I'm wrapping gifts and will get them under the tree and then hopefully it will feel like the Christmas spirit has come back.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CZrQB4mKzGw/Wii-rNxvMbI/AAAAAAAABYk/ZmjPjI_LeskrmUA4WCY4n72aqxJT_ppvwCLcBGAs/s1600/20171206_213343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CZrQB4mKzGw/Wii-rNxvMbI/AAAAAAAABYk/ZmjPjI_LeskrmUA4WCY4n72aqxJT_ppvwCLcBGAs/s320/20171206_213343.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Well that's way more than you wanted to hear and way more than I really wanted to write. lol... ~Phyllis<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>A camel is a horse designed by a committee.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sir Alec Issigonis</div><br />sewokhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01810434863799856107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915741086912923606.post-87191423123411549922017-11-29T18:33:00.005-06:002017-11-29T18:33:57.748-06:00Seam 25<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bj2sd_rUlgI/Wh9GfK0XInI/AAAAAAAABWw/7HEzUtXMGvMyNya5TGvJJ0Trte9qnX3KgCLcBGAs/s1600/Better%2Bseam%2B25.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1600" height="153" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bj2sd_rUlgI/Wh9GfK0XInI/AAAAAAAABWw/7HEzUtXMGvMyNya5TGvJJ0Trte9qnX3KgCLcBGAs/s320/Better%2Bseam%2B25.png" width="320" /></a></div>Seam 25 Silk ribbon flowers with silk ribbon French knots for centers, DMC rayon was used for the base stitch with a silk thread used for the leaves and the stem. Cupped sequins with beads between the flowers. Yes there's a flower missing at the end, or a part of a flower. I'll finish it up once the block is sewn to another. This seam was done twice as I had a bit of trouble with the silk ribbon.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SWUaUAaKKkE/Wh9IbtvlgoI/AAAAAAAABW8/tUpb00zJHw8Fr1Pt-wfpTfHpJKxcUk8YQCLcBGAs/s1600/Ugly%2BSeam%2B25.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="578" data-original-width="1600" height="115" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SWUaUAaKKkE/Wh9IbtvlgoI/AAAAAAAABW8/tUpb00zJHw8Fr1Pt-wfpTfHpJKxcUk8YQCLcBGAs/s320/Ugly%2BSeam%2B25.png" width="320" /></a></div>On this second one, which was actually the first one, the silk ribbon kept folding up on me. The base stitch is a perle cotton, the light green leaves and stem are Purely silk. Again the seams are finished off with sequins and beads.<br /><br /><br />As I have told Kathy Shaw, silk ribbon work is a vicious circle for me. I love it but hate working with it. I have trouble getting the ribbon to lay the way I want it to or the way I think it should. I know it would be easier if I did more of it but I'm always disappointed so I don't do more of it and the circle continues. No practice, sad looking work. I just need to bite the bullet and work with it more instead of avoiding it.<br /><br />Spent today learning to use a "new to me" toy. A 6 thread embroidery machine that my mom gifted me. Took about 3 hours to figure out and attach the cap frame but then managed to get about 6 caps done before we quit. The tension still needs a bit of work and a couple of the threads keep breaking so there's still some work to do before I can do anything serious with it.<br /><br /><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rr-j12GIULs/Wh9MMVxvpAI/AAAAAAAABXg/WHhtMyi82iI-LsCjM-0dYhdqZzq1PrR_ACLcBGAs/s1600/20171128_155515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rr-j12GIULs/Wh9MMVxvpAI/AAAAAAAABXg/WHhtMyi82iI-LsCjM-0dYhdqZzq1PrR_ACLcBGAs/s320/20171128_155515.jpg" width="320" /></a>On the cookie front: Candy canes and peppermints last night. I need to practice on these also but at least the bad ones are still edible.<br /><br /><br />Well it's supper time. Gotta go figure out what to fix. Oh and I need to bake more cookies! lol... ~Phyllis<br /><i><br /></i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"A canter is a cure for every evil."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Benjamin Disraeli</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>sewokhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01810434863799856107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915741086912923606.post-72252217147795326932017-11-28T09:52:00.003-06:002017-11-28T09:53:45.858-06:00Seam 28<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wLfxDDZp8n0/WhzNgY7CYQI/AAAAAAAABVU/AJWyNS1PMe8mcNPriszcS20i1POwxWk7ACLcBGAs/s1600/Seam%2B24.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="1600" height="162" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wLfxDDZp8n0/WhzNgY7CYQI/AAAAAAAABVU/AJWyNS1PMe8mcNPriszcS20i1POwxWk7ACLcBGAs/s400/Seam%2B24.png" width="400" /></a></div>Well I have this seam number 24 on my printout but it looks like it might be 28. Materials used on this one include Lizbeth tatting thread for the base stitch, perle cotton for the straight stitches in mint green, silk ribbon, flat sequins and seed beads. Love those green sequins they are flat with an embossed spiral. Notice I left a yellow sequin out of the top row. The silk ribbon work was already there and I will not cover up the ribbon work. I have enough trouble working with silk ribbon as it is so nope, not covering that up.<br /><br />This morning I will be making sugar cookies. We have kinda gotten hooked on them since I decided to teach myself to decorate them. Thanksgiving and Halloween cookies turned out really cute. So next will be candy canes I think.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f0Ei_ke34tw/Wh2ABLFpvcI/AAAAAAAABV4/HwSqjOrYY4E-K-ydaW30tyNuNS0rxSFAwCEwYBhgL/s1600/20171122_222355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f0Ei_ke34tw/Wh2ABLFpvcI/AAAAAAAABV4/HwSqjOrYY4E-K-ydaW30tyNuNS0rxSFAwCEwYBhgL/s320/20171122_222355.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vpkZQIsaDp0/Wh2E98qPmJI/AAAAAAAABWU/jdUw4LfvR2A2pWVIFfuhevQIR71QVknwACLcBGAs/s1600/Halloween%2BCookies.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="854" data-original-width="1600" height="170" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vpkZQIsaDp0/Wh2E98qPmJI/AAAAAAAABWU/jdUw4LfvR2A2pWVIFfuhevQIR71QVknwACLcBGAs/s320/Halloween%2BCookies.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This afternoon is sewing time. Not sure exactly what on but something. I need to get busy, talk more later. ~ Phyllis</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The wagon rest in the winter,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the sleigh in the summer,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the horse never.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Yiddish proverb </i></div>sewokhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01810434863799856107noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915741086912923606.post-22275911330417391452017-11-27T20:32:00.000-06:002017-11-27T20:39:14.930-06:00Gosh I'm horrible! <br /><div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><br />I was gonna start this back up and didn't. And was gonna start this back up and didn't. And then I told Kathy Shaw I'd see if it was still here and didn't. Gee, you'd think being retired I'd have time to do everything!😏 Apparently if I put my nose in a book I don't ever take it out and get anything done. Anyway, I'm back and so here goes.<br /><br /><a href="https://scontent.ftul1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/24058900_10213716042242769_1512266099014140352_n.jpg?oh=0cb0ff1614516dedf7fb128a0ba927c3&amp;oe=5AA24E7E" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="spotlight" height="131" src="https://scontent.ftul1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/24058900_10213716042242769_1512266099014140352_n.jpg?oh=0cb0ff1614516dedf7fb128a0ba927c3&amp;oe=5AA24E7E" width="320" /></a>I joined Kathy Shaws&nbsp; stitch along on facebook (find it here: <b>https://tinyurl.com/ydhf23lw</b>) I don't use tinyurl much so I hope that works. After I joined Kathy asked me if I would stitch a bit for her and I agreed. What an honor to be asked! Thank you Kathy. Here is seam #27. I used a #8 Perle Cotton from ThreadArt (I believe) for the base stitch. The silk ribbon was hand dyed by me, myself and I<cite>.</cite><cite class="_Rm"></cite>The sequins are cupped flower sequins I got from Cartwrights. The beads not a clue since I've had them forever. They don't even have a label anymore.<br /><br />I'll try to post the previous seams I have done in the future and catch up. But don't hold me to that since I've already proven that this isn't a steady job for me.<br /><br />I told Kathy I had this blog and that I dropped the ball with it because I was going to journal what I did after retirement. Well guess what, I do the exact same thing every day. I start the day playing with horses, cook lunch, then spend the afternoon sewing, stitching, painting, reading or in the summer taking care of the produce that hubby brings in from the garden. After a while that gets old writing the same old thing and I didn't figure it made for very interesting reading. Well Kathy suggest I blog the stitches so I'll try to do that and see what happens. Maybe some of the other day to day stuff will still sneak its way in. ~Phyllis<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"When in doubt, ride with your instincts."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><u>All I Need To Know I learned From My Horse</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Pamela C. Biddle and Joel E. Fishman</span></div>sewokhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01810434863799856107noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915741086912923606.post-67314985255762986702016-11-08T00:44:00.002-06:002016-11-15T20:07:07.055-06:00Since retirement I have no sense of time...<div style="text-align: left;">Absolutely no sense of time what so ever. It was only yesterday I checked in and said I'd be back in a couple of days. Oh my gosh that was in September!!! So okay I have got to get it together. Since retirement the days and nights kinda just run together. I don't seem to get near as much done and yet I don't seem to have much down time.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Well tonight I will try to bring things up to date. Since I last posted a year ago (not counting that silly little update) I have had a total knee replacement and am in the next week, hopefully, will be scheduling the second one. The first one went really well and I have actually been able to ride the horses a bit. Less and less lately as the right knee has hurt more and more. Other wise my/our health here at the end of the road is great.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So for a few pictures. I won't go back the full year, just what I've been up to lately. If I find something of interest I'll just post it later.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">First off the jalapenos did okay for just a couple of plants and for us to eat from them most of the summer. Nine small jars. Last year I didn't use gloves as I sliced them, lesson learned. This year I did, another lesson learned. Next year I think I'll use a hazmat suit. At least my hands didn't burn for days.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LKuLE_SA42M/WCFZnilA8mI/AAAAAAAABK8/r7tvvzF13FIb_bUUfL3aViApDIHKzgPywCLcB/s1600/20161015_180149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LKuLE_SA42M/WCFZnilA8mI/AAAAAAAABK8/r7tvvzF13FIb_bUUfL3aViApDIHKzgPywCLcB/s320/20161015_180149.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>A bit of doll sewing. The fabric with the flowers came from a friend on the Babyface doll group. We were challenged to mix it with another fabric and make a garment. I managed two. The leggings are from an old pink t-shirt. Love her face!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0O29dhMULyI/WCFbgSF7DXI/AAAAAAAABLM/VUtkJdCdic832cWawLGwZJ7sHkFRu2BOgCEw/s1600/20161030_135509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0O29dhMULyI/WCFbgSF7DXI/AAAAAAAABLM/VUtkJdCdic832cWawLGwZJ7sHkFRu2BOgCEw/s1600/20161030_135509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0O29dhMULyI/WCFbgSF7DXI/AAAAAAAABLM/VUtkJdCdic832cWawLGwZJ7sHkFRu2BOgCEw/s1600/20161030_135509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0O29dhMULyI/WCFbgSF7DXI/AAAAAAAABLM/VUtkJdCdic832cWawLGwZJ7sHkFRu2BOgCEw/s320/20161030_135509.jpg" width="240" />&nbsp;</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JcSzByAIe-g/WCFbhyEJmCI/AAAAAAAABLM/Sr9lcUL72fUaWWf1aLZxxR96Wvv_aO06ACEw/s1600/20161030_135754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JcSzByAIe-g/WCFbhyEJmCI/AAAAAAAABLM/Sr9lcUL72fUaWWf1aLZxxR96Wvv_aO06ACEw/s320/20161030_135754.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>And for Miss Revlon, a couple of dresses.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QWk-iOCtgEo/WCFg_VasxOI/AAAAAAAABLg/7UbddEvtQlQGIqN4VeUGQO_wBM-TbtGCQCLcB/s320/Phyllis%2BDay%2Bdress%2Bfront.png" width="240" /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nxu1ClgE5Uk/WCFhHPHuqBI/AAAAAAAABLk/ufy48ajJslgEtj71iLwOkJebe8q6zz8KgCLcB/s1600/Phyllis%2BParty%2BDress%2BFront.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nxu1ClgE5Uk/WCFhHPHuqBI/AAAAAAAABLk/ufy48ajJslgEtj71iLwOkJebe8q6zz8KgCLcB/s320/Phyllis%2BParty%2BDress%2BFront.png" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mr. Wooly Worm says we are in&nbsp; for a bad winter. According to legend the more black/less brown the worse the winter will be. Looks like this might be the worst.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bWITwi5ZK5c/WCFlUYAdlpI/AAAAAAAABL4/Givn6msEe_UrhTQDOB7Z4z9IsCjz8HuAQCLcB/s1600/20161020_195528%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bWITwi5ZK5c/WCFlUYAdlpI/AAAAAAAABL4/Givn6msEe_UrhTQDOB7Z4z9IsCjz8HuAQCLcB/s320/20161020_195528%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And quilt wise what have I been working on? A <u>One Block Wonder</u>. I do believe I am in love. If my quilt turns out half as neat/pretty as the ones in Maxine Rosenthal's book I could maybe never use another pattern. And then I saw JoAnn Stearn's <u>Confetti</u>. It reminds me a lot of the Trails quilt Kathy D. and I did together across the net. She and I have already swapped fabric strips to get a good mix of scrappiness for the Confetti. I have several 4-patch blocks sewn together but no photos yet. But back to the One Block Wonder. Mine is from a cut of Christmas poinsettias in blue and silver. I'm afraid there might not be enough color difference to make it as gorgeous as those in the book but we'll see. I'm only about a fourth of the way through the blocks.Those on the left have not been sewn yet and there are still piles of parts laying around. I started out thinking that maybe they all needed to be arranged first. My friend Beth suggested sewing the hexies in halves and then pinning the halves. Once they are all done you can then arrange them without worry of messing up the parts. I think that is going work really well for me. The ones on the right have been sewn, halves pinned and then placed on the board. I started out trying to keep like values/colors together but that's not working too well. So far, there are a lot of them of the same color/value. I think I'll have to take the others down soon so I'll have enough room to play. Well not much left to say so I'll close for now. Phyllis </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c03UjBiY62w/WCFw2aXhsnI/AAAAAAAABMk/iijnhStvLhUBI0ZhOpCMoRXV_ALyQKfygCLcB/s1600/20161108_002727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c03UjBiY62w/WCFw2aXhsnI/AAAAAAAABMk/iijnhStvLhUBI0ZhOpCMoRXV_ALyQKfygCLcB/s320/20161108_002727.jpg" width="320" /><span style="color: black;">&nbsp;</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"When in doubt, ride with your instincts."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><u>All I Need To Know I learned From My Horse</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Pamela C. Biddle and Joel E. Fishman</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JcSzByAIe-g/WCFbhyEJmCI/AAAAAAAABLI/kOIzXpd5Rmo1i_AC6LaEl3GtJw7fv1IhwCLcB/s1600/20161030_135754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0O29dhMULyI/WCFbgSF7DXI/AAAAAAAABLE/uvi8U7B3VMc7mhxuEyD08hcs0DnEAPTZgCLcB/s1600/20161030_135509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a> </div>sewokhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01810434863799856107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915741086912923606.post-29115706248473279082016-09-28T21:47:00.002-05:002016-09-28T21:47:39.969-05:00<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Well I can't believe that it's been over a year! OMG! Where did it go? Not a clue<i>. </i>I'm not going to cover anything tonight. Just checking in. But I will be back&nbsp; in a night or two with pictures and a few stories to tell. ~Phyllis</div><br /><br /><i>"When in doubt, ride with your instincts."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><u>All I Need To Know I learned From My Horse</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Pamela C. Biddle and Joel E. Fishman</span></div>sewokhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01810434863799856107noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915741086912923606.post-83712651201794050892015-07-08T17:12:00.000-05:002015-07-08T17:12:14.963-05:00Rain, Horses, and sewing, Oh My!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lecd72rVzEA/VZsEjsVCiZI/AAAAAAAAA0w/mJMqj1VsNRg/s1600/P5290209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lecd72rVzEA/VZsEjsVCiZI/AAAAAAAAA0w/mJMqj1VsNRg/s320/P5290209.JPG" width="240" /></a>It's been awhile and I've been busy so I'll try to get everything up to speed.&nbsp; So let's see Since April we've survived heavy rains, which washed out the road, filled up the pond, and left us without electricity for a day. Not too bad, others went without for a bit longer. The county has had tons of work to get the roads back up to par so Hubby placed a couple of rods with surveyors tape around our wash so that people wouldn't drive off into the hole, especially at night. It has since been fixed.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BiVlSEIAMcg/VZ2dn4w_hWI/AAAAAAAAA2E/L2B7v2f9wFM/s1600/P3150065%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BiVlSEIAMcg/VZ2dn4w_hWI/AAAAAAAAA2E/L2B7v2f9wFM/s320/P3150065%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />'lil Bit just loves to have fun and often it is at our expense. One of her favorite things to do is go under fences. We use temporary fences to be able to rotate the horses from one field to another. But if 'lil Bit gets it in her mind to eat in another, under she goes. And then she laughs at us. Between her and the deer we repair the fences several times a year. Don't you just love that grin?<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ev3thYV2n1w/VZsI3uwznQI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/qF2ZCMemPKI/s1600/P7060004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ev3thYV2n1w/VZsI3uwznQI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/qF2ZCMemPKI/s320/P7060004.JPG" width="240" /></a><br /><br />&nbsp; <br />In the sewing room:&nbsp; The borders on these two quilts. I just pieced the same scraps as I used for the blocks for the main border on the top quilt.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JgIaxmmGx7A/VZsIlg_8uSI/AAAAAAAAA1I/lbWPjMLwQRE/s1600/P7060002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JgIaxmmGx7A/VZsIlg_8uSI/AAAAAAAAA1I/lbWPjMLwQRE/s320/P7060002.JPG" width="240" /></a>For the second quilt I pieced the skinny first border using the scraps. Good thing I didn't want a larger first border. Then I used a dark green for the outer border. Seemed to fit the best of what I had on hand. Still not crazy about it but I have a lot of trouble with liking my own scrappy quilts. I do like the one about much better. Oh well... one of these days maybe I'll learn to let loose. <br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bvEAlpulf2A/VZsHn72uHwI/AAAAAAAAA1A/2Sji-8CYQQw/s1600/P5200204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bvEAlpulf2A/VZsHn72uHwI/AAAAAAAAA1A/2Sji-8CYQQw/s320/P5200204.JPG" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I also did some embroidery work on a RR block. This shows just my part. The block then got mailed off to the next member of the group. The buttons are a mix of vintage buttons that a niece gave me. The Dorset buttons I made. Those are the crochet covered buttons. First covered in silk and then a crochet "snood" made to fit over them. I really enjoy doing those. And that dragon fly, not my best one but I still love that little bugger.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Q2prWU7Yto/VZssxZfgwsI/AAAAAAAAA1k/XQxwJe5MkVA/s1600/P6070072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Q2prWU7Yto/VZssxZfgwsI/AAAAAAAAA1k/XQxwJe5MkVA/s320/P6070072.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />What I've been working on: "Trail Mix" from Better Homes &amp; Gardens <u>Scrap Lovers' Quilts</u>. My quilting buddy, Kathy D. and I worked on each step together, even though we are miles apart. (Isn't email a wonderful thing?) I really have a ton of trouble working with a ton of different scraps, especially those of different colors. Kathy's quilt is a gorgeous mix of colors and turned out so bright and sparkly. Mine on the other hand seems more subdued. Yes I know it's because I kept my fabrics in the blue families. I just have to have some control. lol... Anyway, this pic was taken a bit back before the squares were sewn together. I now have all the rows sewn and most of the rows are stitched together. Just a few more and I'll be ready for the borders.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I've got several eye spy blocks for Hoot's quilt to post but since this is getting long I'll post them later. Along with a canning/freezing/jelly making update. Despite the rains, or maybe because of them, the garden is doing pretty good! For now I'll leave you with these words:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Just because you cleared a wall going north doesn't guarantee you'll clear it going south."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><u>All I Need To Know I learned From My Horse</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Pamela C. Biddle and Joel E. Fishman</span></div><br /><br /><br /><span id="goog_1465400745"></span><span id="goog_1465400746"></span>sewokhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01810434863799856107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915741086912923606.post-19445087976936838192015-04-17T23:38:00.000-05:002015-04-18T00:40:48.091-05:00Just catchin' upSeems like I am way behind. Not just on this blog but on a lot of things.&nbsp; Oh well. Maybe that's what retirement is all about... never having to be caught up. There's not a lot happening here---<br /><br />The iris are blooming. They are one of my favorites and over the past several years we've bought several iris that are not just your normal, run of the mill, find them in every yard iris. We've picked up several re-blooming ones that hopefully will provide more than just a bit of show. Of the others that we've bought, most are bi-color. Here's pics of the start of the blooms. The light purple is one that my maternal granny gave me when we first moved here. That's been 20+ years.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6xW0a_xU2kc/VTHh8Sez1zI/AAAAAAAAAk4/yFwyt7xOEy4/s1600/iris.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6xW0a_xU2kc/VTHh8Sez1zI/AAAAAAAAAk4/yFwyt7xOEy4/s1600/iris.png" height="400" width="317" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The swallowtails have been out and about adding color to the yard and flower beds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YPw5d6gEF-0/VTHkNJcrUEI/AAAAAAAAAlU/d6QviTn6i84/s1600/P4100117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YPw5d6gEF-0/VTHkNJcrUEI/AAAAAAAAAlU/d6QviTn6i84/s1600/P4100117.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">&nbsp;And speaking of flowers, we have a new flower bed. And a "landing" under the water faucet. We've wanted something under that faucet for a long time because it gets so muddy there. Knew what we wanted it was just the gettin' round-tuit. Still need to get trellis panels behind the beds to hide the under deck area. And that deck really needs cleaning off. Shouldn't be using it for storage anyway. lol....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bUbogxkZDGg/VTHnOPRb3fI/AAAAAAAAAlw/8FAtFGBBZCg/s1600/Back%2Byard%2Bflower%2Bbed%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bmaking.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bUbogxkZDGg/VTHnOPRb3fI/AAAAAAAAAlw/8FAtFGBBZCg/s1600/Back%2Byard%2Bflower%2Bbed%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bmaking.png" height="171" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Grass is growing and one day last week while Hubby worked on a lawn mower we let the horses in the back yard. They sure enjoyed the fresh grass. 'lil Bit kept getting past our temporary fence but all we had to do was call her by name and she would turn around and go back under it. She is just too smart for her own good. Ginger twisted or sprained a hind leg this past week but the vet thinks she'll be okay in a few weeks. We did separate her from the other horses so she doesn't make it worse playing around with them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hun_QpHAIwc/VTHjDeSOCVI/AAAAAAAAAlA/KV-XetFIWZc/s1600/Horses%2Bmowing%2Bthe%2Blawn.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hun_QpHAIwc/VTHjDeSOCVI/AAAAAAAAAlA/KV-XetFIWZc/s1600/Horses%2Bmowing%2Bthe%2Blawn.png" height="355" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And last I'll close with the last two quilt tops in the making. They both need borders. I decided I have to do something about all the scraps in tubs and the folded pieces that I really don't have plans for and so I decided to try scrap quilts. I've always made quilts that were pre-planned and then bought the fabric specifically for that quilt. Most times I bought more than was needed. You know, for the just in cases. So there's lots of small amounts of fabric in tubs and boxes. It needs to be used or gotten rid of. So use it I say. Here's the first top. I finished this part of it a couple of weeks ago and then couldn't decide about borders. Maybe this weekend... I'm not real crazy about it but maybe the borders will help it out some.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-doCvHpC7mAM/VTHpF4dnBxI/AAAAAAAAAl8/Xn3JjmZYAa0/s1600/Scrappy%2Bquilt%2B1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-doCvHpC7mAM/VTHpF4dnBxI/AAAAAAAAAl8/Xn3JjmZYAa0/s1600/Scrappy%2Bquilt%2B1.png" height="320" width="282" />&nbsp;</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This next one I have worked on this past week. Got the blocks finished up yesterday and then stitched them together today.&nbsp; I like it much better, maybe because it's a more traditional pattern. I also worked at trying to coordinate the hst's with the center strips and squares. I'm sure that didn't hurt one bit. It is Shoo Fly from <u>"The Big Book of Nickle Quilts"</u> by Pat Speth with Charlene Thode. There are several more patterns in this book that I want to try. I think I probably need to get a few of the Phd's finished up before I start something new though.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dajiwt-olAw/VTHpKgfV5ZI/AAAAAAAAAmE/nQGE01_fX1k/s1600/Shoo%2BFly%2Bwo%2Bborders.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dajiwt-olAw/VTHpKgfV5ZI/AAAAAAAAAmE/nQGE01_fX1k/s1600/Shoo%2BFly%2Bwo%2Bborders.png" height="320" width="293" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've got a few more blocks on Hoot's quilt made, will try to post them in the next day or so. And there are several other cq blocks that I need to take pics of and post. Maybe I just need to set aside a day for that. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I don't think there is much more to say tonight so I'll leave you with these words:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"When in doubt, ride with your instincts."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><u>All I Need To Know I learned From My Horse</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Pamela C. Biddle and Joel E. Fishman</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>sewokhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01810434863799856107noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915741086912923606.post-10968210277913895792015-02-23T22:59:00.001-06:002015-02-24T07:21:13.365-06:00Playing Catch UpI had wonderful intentions of posting once a week. I guess I should consider myself doing good to post once a month. Lots to catch up on so let's get started.<br /><br />First off, you'll notice a couple of new link pics (buttons) on the sidebar. One is for "The Giveaway Roundup". This is the new home for Missouri Mel's Giveaway Roundup where tons of giveaways are posted. Yep! All in one place. The second is the CQJP2015 link. Decided to do that again this year, but I'm just getting a button here for it. It had been so long since I had done the last link button thingy that it has taken all afternoon/evening to get those two posted. Geesh! I have got to post more often.<br /><br />Now on to what's been happening here at the end of my road. In January the oldest Grand had to have a costume so she could dress as Mrs. Garfield, first lady to President Garfield. Mimi to the rescue.&nbsp; Dress, jacket, slip with bustle and metal "hoops", jabot with cameo, embroidered purse with a lace hankie and the hat. Got it all made and it only took about three weeks and one fitting. Yeah!!! That's a win and a finish.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uAoglzuS7KA/VOvsZDK7LqI/AAAAAAAAAb4/ULgTcWidnX8/s1600/P1300615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uAoglzuS7KA/VOvsZDK7LqI/AAAAAAAAAb4/ULgTcWidnX8/s1600/P1300615.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M0oTNguwg1Q/VOvjyMXlggI/AAAAAAAAAa0/KXo27Z-OxhM/s1600/P1300616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M0oTNguwg1Q/VOvjyMXlggI/AAAAAAAAAa0/KXo27Z-OxhM/s1600/P1300616.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Then I finished up my part of the black/black blocks for the CQ4N group. This first one isn't finished. It goes to Rita so that she can do her magic and then it goes on to Tatyana. I stitched the paisley in the upper right corner on the embroidery machine, then appliqued it to the block and added bead work to it. Then a seam combo down toward the bottom right corner. My new thing for this block was the Dorset buttons. They were woven over a metal button form normally used for covered buttons. I enjoyed doing those and will probably do more of them as needed.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-THjTigjk_G4/VOvlW_hd8RI/AAAAAAAAAbY/iB1xj_l4lgA/s1600/P2010623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-THjTigjk_G4/VOvlW_hd8RI/AAAAAAAAAbY/iB1xj_l4lgA/s1600/P2010623.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />The second block was Rita's. There wasn't a lot of room left to work on this block. The other girls had done a fantastic job with it. I added Rita's initial in padded stem stitch (my new thing for this block) with some silk ribbon iris and some bead work.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gVwUGF1hmcM/VOvkhU8OUWI/AAAAAAAAAbE/2VPbu9Jt5Hg/s1600/P2050631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gVwUGF1hmcM/VOvkhU8OUWI/AAAAAAAAAbE/2VPbu9Jt5Hg/s1600/P2050631.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />Next I have a few more of Hoot's quilt blocks made. I didn't get it finished in time for Christmas but since he is not yet 5 the quilt will still be appropriate, maybe more so this coming Christmas. So I have it pulled out where I can do a bit of work every little bit. I have all the backings cut and the pattern designs drawn out on them. I also have all the "things to spy" cut and spent last Saturday at Joann's looking for an "X". Finally hubby found a piece of flannel that had a xylophone on it. The alphabet will be complete. Yeah!!! So here are the next blocks. (Nope, not working them alphabetical order, sorry.)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tljc_BIh4ac/VOvlLkslB2I/AAAAAAAAAbQ/81BmK-EKoy4/s1600/P2050637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tljc_BIh4ac/VOvlLkslB2I/AAAAAAAAAbQ/81BmK-EKoy4/s1600/P2050637.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TKpPCPzhAkQ/VOvlxZN_BTI/AAAAAAAAAbg/azC9CkOKSlc/s1600/P2050638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TKpPCPzhAkQ/VOvlxZN_BTI/AAAAAAAAAbg/azC9CkOKSlc/s1600/P2050638.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XcxbsgGmmQE/VOvmLAj843I/AAAAAAAAAbo/qr7-x0jD_wM/s1600/P2050639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XcxbsgGmmQE/VOvmLAj843I/AAAAAAAAAbo/qr7-x0jD_wM/s1600/P2050639.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br /><h3>And a Finally.</h3>&nbsp; I<span style="font-size: large;"><i> finally </i></span>got my bobbins cleaned up. This is what they looked like. Plastic boxes with small dividers. Each little space holds three bobbins. But keeping them neat and not having thread hanging out and getting caught was for the birds. So....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Ep0VHUD2a8/VOv3wKpIyoI/AAAAAAAAAcI/ffiUwlcstEs/s1600/PC260002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Ep0VHUD2a8/VOv3wKpIyoI/AAAAAAAAAcI/ffiUwlcstEs/s1600/PC260002.JPG" height="240" width="320" />&nbsp;</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I used this...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zHW-pFTNKuM/VOv4MEpg4MI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/iGv_tdK4GaE/s1600/PC260003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zHW-pFTNKuM/VOv4MEpg4MI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/iGv_tdK4GaE/s1600/PC260003.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />Got it at the local farm store but the hardware store would probably have it also. Cut the tube into short pieces that are just the height of the inside of the bobbin. Cut the short piece of tube "up the side" and then slip it over the bobbin....<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mwz3ZxCZbJg/VOv6chTTmCI/AAAAAAAAAcs/7E9pEQeQKbQ/s1600/PC260006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mwz3ZxCZbJg/VOv6chTTmCI/AAAAAAAAAcs/7E9pEQeQKbQ/s1600/PC260006.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br />and now I have this! Yah! See the extra little pieces of tube. Ready to go for when I find the odd bobbins that I am sure to find. There will be one in a project that still needs handwork. One with a doll dress that still needs snap/buttons. One with... well I am sure that there are several laying around somewhere. There always is...<br /><br />And last, princess dresses for the grands...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eQqNsCioKMA/VOwA1tx0UsI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/fODZCTpck4E/s1600/P1170051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eQqNsCioKMA/VOwA1tx0UsI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/fODZCTpck4E/s1600/P1170051.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YtqQUZp468U/VOwAX9htOaI/AAAAAAAAAdI/yDmoO5bzdE0/s1600/P1170050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YtqQUZp468U/VOwAX9htOaI/AAAAAAAAAdI/yDmoO5bzdE0/s1600/P1170050.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>and those girls do love their Grandpa!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-qaYy9bNekeA%2FVOwAHOqjzmI%2FAAAAAAAAAdA%2FdQIRvJmn8Ls%2Fs1600%2FP1170052.JPG&amp;container=blogger&amp;gadget=a&amp;rewriteMime=image%2F*" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qaYy9bNekeA/VOwAHOqjzmI/AAAAAAAAAdA/dQIRvJmn8Ls/s1600/P1170052.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>So for now, remember...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"On unfamiliar terrain, stay alert for surprises."</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u>All I Need To Know I learned From My Horse</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Pamela C. Biddle and Joel E. Fishman</span></div>sewokhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01810434863799856107noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915741086912923606.post-20726903099640465732015-01-17T00:39:00.002-06:002015-04-18T00:38:50.324-05:00Cold and wet... but warming up...<br />Well hello there. Not much happening around the place right now. It's been cold but is starting to warm back up. Warm enough that Du and I had a bit of a workout this morning. He is such a smart horse that if I can figure out how to teach something he picks it up really quick.&nbsp; I'm thinking of starting him on Agility Training. I've got to look into it a bit more. He looks so sleepy here. Trust me he's just thinking up what kind of trouble to get into next. Breakfast is over and in just a moment he'll be turned loose into the pasture for a day of frolic and grazing. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5stARJM32rQ/VLoCsesG4GI/AAAAAAAAAaM/fJrH8iIy_us/s1600/PC270039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5stARJM32rQ/VLoCsesG4GI/AAAAAAAAAaM/fJrH8iIy_us/s1600/PC270039.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />Back sometime in October, my mom gave me this little plastic bag of dahlia tubers? She had bought them to put out in her flower beds but they were taken over by grass hoppers before she could get it done and they were just laying around taking up space and collecting dust. So I brought them home. This was October and the planting directions for my zone says to plant in March so I laid them on on the back of the desk. A couple of days ago I had some odd reason to pick up the bag and darn if the things hadn't started sprouting.&nbsp; Well I know that January and February are going to be our coldest months and just couldn't put the outside, they would freeze. So I brought in a pot and planted the poor things. Maybe now that they are in a happy place with sunshine coming in the window and a regular watering they'll be okay until I can safely put them outside. Now to figure out where to put them. And am I going to have to dig them in the fall? I know that's not happening so I'll have to find a spot that protected to some degree.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZeJBNG4j5iY/VLnzLMRA2QI/AAAAAAAAAZU/-CydqIoG1Rk/s1600/P1060013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZeJBNG4j5iY/VLnzLMRA2QI/AAAAAAAAAZU/-CydqIoG1Rk/s1600/P1060013.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sPnHsLkNc4k/VLnzRjSVB-I/AAAAAAAAAZk/RRbbyy60S80/s1600/P1060018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sPnHsLkNc4k/VLnzRjSVB-I/AAAAAAAAAZk/RRbbyy60S80/s1600/P1060018.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />In the sewing world these past two weeks have been busy. The oldest Grand needs a costume so she can be a presidents wife. Lucretia Rudolph Garfield to be specific. So I've been making the dress and slip for her. Tomorrow I take it to see how it fits before finishing. Since the Kid took the Grands to Disney World during Christmas break I've also made the Snow White dresses for their 18" AG dolls. Hopefully that will be a happy surprise. I'll try to get pictures tomorrow and post later.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I have also worked on a couple of cq blocks that had been set aside since before Christmas. Slowly getting back into the hand work and I am loving it.<br /><br />Well that pretty much catches me up for the last couple of weeks. I am sure that I left some things out but if they become important, well I'll just add them later. So I will close on this bit of equine wisdom:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;,sans-serif;"><b>"Graze in the same spot for too long and you'll end up with a mouthful of dirt."</b></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>All I need to Know I learned From My Horse</u> <span style="font-family: inherit;">b</span>y Pamela C Biddle and <span style="font-family: inherit;">J</span>oel E <span style="font-family: inherit;">F</span>ishman</span></span> </span></span></div>sewokhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01810434863799856107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915741086912923606.post-6804873557064832492015-01-03T00:13:00.000-06:002015-01-17T01:00:38.254-06:00Happy New Year!New Year, new try at this. Since I use this basically as a "what's happening in my life" type thing and my life is typically very boring, there hasn't been a lot to write about. But that's gonna change. Not my life (I hope) but the writing about it. I spend a lot of time with my horses and sewing, but not at the same time. So why not write about those things and whatever progress is being made or not.<br /><br />As for this week, not much time has been spent at the barn other than for feeding. It has rained off and on for at least the last three days. The barn cut up, his name is Du Dritter Lite, told me tonight, in his little horsey voice, that he thought we ought to install a swimming pool. There was enough water to fill it, he thought. And did I have any idea when it would quit? humpf... as if I were the weather man. Not a clue when it will quit but it is supposed to get quite a bit colder I think, sometime in the next day or two.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YeBfbUgLFxc/VKeC8f4XZcI/AAAAAAAAAYg/aY_WiNwOTwI/s1600/PC270031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YeBfbUgLFxc/VKeC8f4XZcI/AAAAAAAAAYg/aY_WiNwOTwI/s1600/PC270031.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />As for sewing, I would love to call this year the Finally Finished year. Pull out all those unfinished projects and complete them. We'll see what happens there. I do have a start. Several unfinished doll garments have been tossed in a basket and are now sitting beside the sewing table. They have high hopes of being completed this year. I have a baby quilt that my mother started for "The Son" and then gave to me to finish for a friends first child. Well "The Son" is now in his 30's the friend's daughter is getting ready to graduate from high school and the quilt is still not finished. I think it's about time don't you. Maybe I'll drag it out and add it to the basket. <br /><br />I joined CQJP 2015, after finishing up 2014 barely. I need to grab the button for that and put it on the side bar. (Maybe tomorrow....)&nbsp; I decided this year to attack it a bit differently. I am going to piece my blocks ahead of time so that each month all I have to do is the magic. Like that's not a lot. So today, I got the backings cut for all 12 blocks and pieced the first one. I have been saving these blues and greens in a tub and pulling the trims, beads and such for several months. Since they are all together I'll just go ahead and use them. I'll also start pulling all the trims and such for the other blocks as I piece them so that they will be sorted and ready to stitch.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6rUwy0_N0eM/VKeBcGbt5OI/AAAAAAAAAYU/M_EpeLERO8E/s1600/111_4805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6rUwy0_N0eM/VKeBcGbt5OI/AAAAAAAAAYU/M_EpeLERO8E/s1600/111_4805.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'll post a finished photo when I get all the magic done. I'm still thinking about the colors for the other eleven blocks. As an art major I love working with color theory and so I may just pull those out of the hat and work like that. I'll just have to wait and see what I fabrics I find to go together.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Also, this past week I worked on a couple of dresses for the Grands 18" dolls. The Grands were taken to Disney World as part of their Christmas present and so I am making Princess dresses for the dolls. Well, the slips are made and the first two of the dresses are about half way there.Can I count the slips as a finally finished?<br /><br />Today I received an order of&nbsp; 5" squares of&nbsp; Moda's Roses and Chocolate. I spent part of the evening looking for a pattern that will use them to their best advantage. I'm thinking a lap quilt for my mom for Christmas. Maybe if I start now I'll get it finished in time. I have at least narrowed my choices down to one or two and will look and see what is in the fabric bin to help fill in or see if I need to order something else. <br /><br />Well since it is "Finally Friday" and it's nearly over, I'll leave you with this bit of cowboy wisdom.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>"Never squat with your spurs on".</b>&nbsp;</span></div><br /><br /><br />sewokhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01810434863799856107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915741086912923606.post-37102065655324798662014-04-06T20:13:00.000-05:002014-04-06T20:13:48.611-05:00I spy update...I do believe that spring has sprung! The iris are blooming, I've seen butterflies, and today we had our first hummingbirds. We put the feeder out earlier this week because they always show up the first week of April and sure 'nuff they did. <br /><br />I've had a couple of these block done for several days (weeks maybe) but just getting to this. There must be a way to make this more regular. Maybe I need to make a date with myself!<br /><br />Remember these are for a nephew who is still a toddler so there's not beading or button work. Also since it's for a boy there will be no lace. I am doing all the decorating with all those fancy stitches that came on my machines. Gotta use them somehow! I'm also trying to use up as much of my scrap stash as possible.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uTfAkZk3qq8/U0H4iT-0CUI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/uOp_4xbWn0s/s1600/Block+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uTfAkZk3qq8/U0H4iT-0CUI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/uOp_4xbWn0s/s1600/Block+3.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yI2rQUJPRpg/U0H4mwaI-AI/AAAAAAAAAKE/B2pI_FYZ3kY/s1600/Block+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yI2rQUJPRpg/U0H4mwaI-AI/AAAAAAAAAKE/B2pI_FYZ3kY/s1600/Block+4.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ejbWYLjEvm8/U0H4modtMiI/AAAAAAAAAKA/i2kE7-9rM68/s1600/Block+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ejbWYLjEvm8/U0H4modtMiI/AAAAAAAAAKA/i2kE7-9rM68/s1600/Block+5.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O0g3eXOQZNk/U0H4m7TdeYI/AAAAAAAAAKM/EbhtaF-UoQc/s1600/Block+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O0g3eXOQZNk/U0H4m7TdeYI/AAAAAAAAAKM/EbhtaF-UoQc/s1600/Block+6.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g8BsklMkVjw/U0H4nZjiHfI/AAAAAAAAAKU/gbPEJIRh3jU/s1600/Block+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g8BsklMkVjw/U0H4nZjiHfI/AAAAAAAAAKU/gbPEJIRh3jU/s1600/Block+7.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>And we have new little critters in the house. Soon they will be big enough that I can move them to the barn.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9TMhszS1MXc/U0H5ohQhLCI/AAAAAAAAAKg/B4Nt-Y65Sns/s1600/Baby+Chicks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9TMhszS1MXc/U0H5ohQhLCI/AAAAAAAAAKg/B4Nt-Y65Sns/s1600/Baby+Chicks.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />Now back to stitching. Several projects to work on so I'll post more later.sewokhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01810434863799856107noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915741086912923606.post-67730764225264843812014-02-24T15:35:00.000-06:002014-02-24T15:36:06.275-06:00Just got this mailed this morning ...so I thought I'd go ahead an post a pic of it. It was done for the Gray/Grey RR on one of my Yahoo groups. It turned out so pretty I'm not sure the photo really shows it well. It is my photograph but I hope the owner of the block doesn't mind me posting it.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UmzwIDTvmp8/Uwu3MiT1x2I/AAAAAAAAAJo/9bNLRFDnAIo/s1600/Cris+block.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UmzwIDTvmp8/Uwu3MiT1x2I/AAAAAAAAAJo/9bNLRFDnAIo/s1600/Cris+block.jpg" height="291" width="320" /></a></div>More later.sewokhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01810434863799856107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915741086912923606.post-66641275915331915602014-02-24T10:59:00.000-06:002014-02-24T15:44:48.987-06:00Is this always going to be this hard?I have been trying for three days to load photos. Today I tried a different browser and we will see if that works. I can't believe that adding a photo would be so frustrating. I hope it isn't always going to be this hard!<br /><br />Anyway, I was trying to post photos of recent CQ blocks I have done. These are not fancy in that they don't have a ton of handwork and embellishments. They will be for an "I Spy" quilt for a&nbsp; young man in my family. He is only three so the decorative work will be done with the machine. All those fancy stitches that I&nbsp; (and hubby) paid $$$'s for will finally be put to use.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7oS7YOMlmcs/Uwf5629YioI/AAAAAAAAAII/l79pcoDXdxA/s1600/Hoot+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7oS7YOMlmcs/Uwf5629YioI/AAAAAAAAAII/l79pcoDXdxA/s1600/Hoot+1.jpg" height="269" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sMZINloXLqw/Uwf55ilitwI/AAAAAAAAAII/lvCRDU21ezg/s1600/Hoot+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sMZINloXLqw/Uwf55ilitwI/AAAAAAAAAII/lvCRDU21ezg/s1600/Hoot+2.jpg" height="264" width="320" /></a></div>These will be backed with batting and a shaped backing and then stitched together in such a way that the backing is turned and stitched down making a border around the blocks. I haven't decided whether to make all the blocks and then put them together or as I stitch the blocks go ahead and put them together. I do know that the bigger it gets the more difficult the piecing will be.<br /><br />Wheeee! I finally got pics to load. Wonderful.<br /><br />Well I am off to sew some more. Will try to post a lot sooner than this has taken. You'd think I'd have lots of things to blog about with as much sewing as I do. So I'll try to do better from now own.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>sewokhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01810434863799856107noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7915741086912923606.post-54707615503658897492013-10-02T22:54:00.000-05:002014-02-24T11:02:02.502-06:00Why do this?<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've questioned starting a blog for a couple of years now. Still not sure why I would do this but here goes. I don't know what to blog about but I will start with a little history. I am a retired school teacher who now spends my time riding horses, sewing, reading, gardening and then doing something with the produce from that garden. In general, just enjoying life at the end of a dead end dirt road. Most of the time I have way to many projects going on and really need to finish them. Maybe that is what I'll use this blog for, to document the completion of said projects. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">My newest interest is really not new, just revisited. Quilting both sane and crazy. I am learning new embroidery stitches and techniques. I'll be sharing some of those here as I go. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Hmmmm... Now what?!?! Well next I'll try to learn how to add photos to this so that I can share&nbsp;the old projects I&nbsp;have&nbsp;finished and new ones just getting</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">&nbsp;started. So let's give it a try. First is a little pieced ghost that will eventually be part of a quilted mantle scarf.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hXQDh6H4oiU/UkzhfewGPfI/AAAAAAAAAII/O-IjxrDN_dA/s1600/Pieced+Ghost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hXQDh6H4oiU/UkzhfewGPfI/AAAAAAAAAII/O-IjxrDN_dA/s1600/Pieced+Ghost.jpg" height="285" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">It comes from a book titled <u>501 Quilt Blocks</u> from Better Homes and Gardens. I bought the book like 10 years ago and have never made anything from it so decided it was time! Don't cha think? There are five more blocks to go and then will put the scarf together. Next up is a crazy patch quilt block. There are five of these blocks that I recieved in an exchange years ago and once again never did anything with them. It's time they had a purpose besides just taing up space,&nbsp;so I am now embellishing them with a variety of embroidery and bead work. When I am through I hope to put them together into a runner.&nbsp;I am a bit disappointed in this one since the hand work doesn't seem to show very well.&nbsp;But for a first try at CQ it isn't all bad and I'll definitely be doing more.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TvJfzEa8Gv8/Ukzm6e0s2qI/AAAAAAAAAII/32UamsblU10/s1600/CQ+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TvJfzEa8Gv8/Ukzm6e0s2qI/AAAAAAAAAII/32UamsblU10/s1600/CQ+1.jpg" height="320" width="308" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, since I am not sure about doing this and this being my first entry, I'm signing off for the evening, but I'll be back.</span>sewokhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01810434863799856107noreply@blogger.com1Oklahoma, USA34.465806327688526 -95.740356445312533.625522327688529 -97.0312499453125 35.306090327688523 -94.4494629453125